The outlook for most types of dementia is poor unless the cause is an early recognized reversible condition. Irreversible or untreated dementia usually continues to worsen over time. The condition usually progresses over years until the person's death.

Making decisions about end-of-life care is important.

The earlier in the disease these issues are discussed, the more likely the person with dementia will be able to express his or her wishes about medical care at the end of life.

The issues may be presented by your health care professional. If not, ask about them.

These issues include use of aggressive interventions and hospital care, artificial feeding, and medical treatment for medical illnesses.

These issues should be discussed by family members and decisions made about how to deal with them when the time comes.

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Delirium, dementia, amnesia, and certain other alterations in cognition are subsumed under more general terms such as mental status change (MSC), acute confusional state (ACS), or organic brain syndrome (OBS).